Main menu

Want to crack the distracted-driving code?: Go to those who who've written the program

November 28, 2012

Automakers are burning time and money in a battle to build better in-car user interfaces. Why not focus on building great cars and leave electronics to the pros?

You'd think with the Los Angeles Auto Show's annual predisposition to hoist the environmental flag, more news about green technologies would blossom forth this week from the LA Convention Center.

Not the case.

While news of Ford's adorable 1.0-liter EcoBoost mini-engine-that-could is making the rounds, more press releases have appeared in our collective inboxes to extol virtues of in-car apps/devices/software that aim to make driving easier/better/less distracting.

When I read these releases, the words of Tony Fadell ring loudly in my ears. You know Tony: He designed the Apple iPod and, most recently, the Nest household thermostat that “learns” your living patterns and adjusts your home's environment accordingly. Fadell, who spoke to the 2012 Autoweek Design Forum attendees almost a year ago, suggested carmakers should simply do what they do best—build extraordinarily good boxes with four wheels that handle superbly—and leave the driver (consumer) user interface to those who know how to do that best. That would be the entrepreneurs who've made their nine- and-10-figure nest eggs designing and executing user interfaces for electronic consumer products; let them create something great for the interior of your cars and trucks.

What a novel idea! Let Apple be Apple so General Motors (and every other automaker) can focus on making great cars and trucks. How cool would it be to have a plug-in UI solution—tailored for each automaker's design sensibilities—for all to enjoy? It could do away with the years of product development duplication and expenditures, do away with various products that don't “play nice” with their competitors' (think uniformity of electric car plugs). It would be great!

And in the greater scheme of things it would benefit consumers. Is it too great a leap of logic or faith to suggest this division of labor and creativity would simplify the driving experience and hence limit distractions…distractions that have lead to blood on our highways in staggeringly high numbers?

No, I don't think so.

Dutch Mandel
- Dutch Mandel, Autoweek’s editorial director and associate publisher, has been with the company for 29 years. A second-generation car journo, he grew up with exotic cars in the garage. Among his many feats is a chef for a racing team and automotive consultant on the Pixar movie CARS and CARS 2.
See more by this author»